What We Do:Conservation

Habitat Restoration & Plantings

The deterioration of our planet is reversible! When you participate in the Group’s planting and habitat restoration projects you’re restoring the fragile balance in our natural environment and preventing erosion. You’re also rebuilding the places where wildlife live and breed, ensuring they don’t disappear from our area. Each year, Group for the East End involves hundreds of school children and community volunteers in native planting & habitat restoration projects on the South Fork, North Fork, Shelter Island, Riverhead, Hampton Bays and Westhampton.

To find out how your school or community group can participate, or to nominate a worthy East End location, please contact Anita Wright at 631-765-6450, ext. 206 or acwright@eastendenvironment.org.

Example Projects

The Group orchestrated an expansive dune restoration project at Tiana Beach in Hampton Bays. After contacting the Southampton Town’s Parks and Recreation Department, we learned the dunes at Tiana Beach were severely damaged by an early winter storm. The Parks Department replaced 6,600 cubic feet of sand in March, and in two hours on a sunny afternoon, 50 volunteers (most were Southampton High School students from Greg Metzger’s science class) planted 8,000 plugs of beach grass, helping to anchor the sand and restore the dune.

Students from Springs School Project M.O.S.T. helped with an ongoing project to eliminate invasive Japanese Knotweed from the nature preserve at Louse Point, East Hampton. Ready with gloves and shovels, they learned first hand that knotweed develops a deep and tough taproot, making it very hard to dig up. After an hour of diligent digging and pulling, students discussed (over cookies) the problems invasive plants can cause and the importance of using native plants in our yards and gardens.

The Group organized a habitat restoration project with financial support from the Peconic Estuary Program, approval from the Town of Riverhead, and most importantly hands on help from Ms. White’s 3rd grade class at Aquebogue Elementary School. The students walked down to Meetinghouse Creek Park right on the bay, where we discussed the importance of native plants and how plants can help provide a buffer between runoff from roadways (and the pollution it might contain) and our precious local bays. The students and parent volunteers then dug right in, planting ~90 native plants in clusters throughout the waterfront park, while keeping an eye out for interesting insects and discussing how our efforts could help a variety of wildlife.

The Group worked with local community gardeners and two Greenport girl scout troops to plant a variety of native beach plants, including beach grass, bayberry, seaside goldenrod, and beach plum. The girls learned about the Peconic Estuary, erosion, and dune habitat, while digging in and helping to make a difference in their local community. The beach near 5th Street Park (just a short walk from the school) never looked better and is providing more native habitat and erosion control now than it has in a long time.

When you support the Group you help restore the fragile balance in our natural environment and prevent erosion. You also rebuild the places where wildlife live and breed, making sure they don’t disappear from the East End.

What’s new in education?

Join us for a full moon hike under the “Beaver Moon” in the enchanting Downs Farm Preserve. Unfamiliar with the “Beaver Moon”, well come hear why the Native Americans called the November Moon the Beaver Moon. This hike is perfect for the whole family. Sturdy shoes and flashlights/headlamps are recommended.
For more information, please contact Aaron at 631-765-6450 x218 or acvirgin@eastendenvironment.org

Saturday, November 24, 2018 from 9 a.m. to noon
The river otter (Lontra canadensis) was once found on most rivers, lakes, ponds and shallow estuaries (both fresh and saltwater) throughout North America. Unregulated trapping for its valuable pelt during the Fur Trade era (mid-1500s to mid 1800s) resulted in the extirpation of otters from much of its historic range, including Long Island. Since the implementation of wildlife conservation laws in the early 1900s, and the passage of water quality and habitat protection measures more recently, otters have made a remarkable comeback, including here on Long Island.
Learn about the Long Island Otter Survey and how to get involved. The program will meet at the Group For The East End office (54895 Main Road/Rte. 25, Southold), where wildlife biologist Mike Bottini will give a short presentation explaining what otter “sign” looks like and where to look for it. We will then head out into the field to visit several known otter sites in the Southold area. To register or inquire about additional information, please contact Mike Bottini at mike@peconic.org or 631-267-5228.

Take pride in your town by joining one or more (or even all!) trail cleanups this fall in one of the many preserves that make up the Bay to Sound Trail System. Activities include: trail clearing, raking/spreading wood chips, and garbage removal from legacy dumping. Gloves, bags and necessary equipment will be provided, as well as water and snacks. Perfect feel good activity for the soul or if you have community volunteer service requirements.

For more information, please contact Aaron at 631-765-6450 x218 or acvirgin@eastendenvironment.org